Abdominal pillow



L.. D. BROSE ETAL .lume 14, 1949.

ABDOMINAL PILLOW Filed Jan. 31, 1946 Patented June 14, 1949 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE ABDOMINAL PILLOW Lazetta D. Brose and Horace B. Brose, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,556

(Cl. 12S- 96) 1 Claim. l

This invention relates to a duplex type of pillow adapted to be worn about the body in the abdominal region to provide a cushion support therefor along the body side which is proximate to the surface of the bed whereon the user is lying in a sleeping posture. More particularly, the present pillow is designed for use by women in an advanced stage of pregnancy, it being well known that in such a condition a deficiency in muscular strength contributes greatly to discomfort whenever sleeping on either side of the body is attempted. By the abdominal pillow herein to be disclosed, a comfortable support is provided Where needed, so that the user will be able to sleep soundly in any of the usual postures assumed for such purpose.

In the accompanying drawing, we have illustrated a duplex abdominal pillow embodying our invention, Figure l being a plan view thereof, and Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof, as it appears when rested upon a horizontal surface. Figure 3 which is a diagrammatic contour view in transverse section through the abdominal region of a Woman in an advanced stage of pregnancy, shows in elevation the position of the duplex pillow when worn, the body contour indicating the wearer to be lying on her back upon a bed mattress, and Fig. 4 is a similar view except that the wearer of the pillow is indicated to be lying upon one side.

The duplex pillow here illustrated comprises a Wide central band 5 of fabric having joined to each of its ends a cushion C which is outwardly flared along opposite faces and sides. Its thin and short end 6 lies proximate to one end of the band, its diverging sides l extend away therefrom, and its outer end 8 which may be somewhat rounded (see Fig. 2) is parallel to the short end. Such a cushion which is wedge-shaped is of increasing thickness outwardly toward its free end, and its contents which should be chosen with a view to light weight, comfort, and supporting properties, will leave each cushion relatively soft and flexible in order to meet the special requirements of its intended use. We provide, at opposite ends of the duplex pillow, adjustable complementary fastenings, such as tapes 9 of sufcient length to tie with each other when the pillow is in use.

It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the duplex pillow is worn in the abdominal region, the band being extended around the back of the body so that the two cushions may lie at opposite sides thereof. 'Ihe thin ends of the cushions may be reduced down to about the thickness of a single ply of fabric for merging with the band, thereby avoiding any bulge. Along the body sides, and somewhat over the front, the two cushions are flexibly extended and held by the connecting port suicient to compensate for deficiency in muscular strength. In the later stages of pregnancy, this may become very important, since the extra weight and disposition thereof, occasioned by the presence of the foetus within the uterus, will, unless supported laterally and adequately, produce discomfort to the point of interfering seriously with sleep. The area of this support is increased, also, due to the outwardly flaring sides 1, so that there is a s-uicient distribution of cushioned resistance, where needed, to avoid discomfort arising from a too-localized support.

We claim: I

An abdominal duplex pillow comprising two flexible cushions, each wedge-shaped from end to end, a band interconnecting the two cushions and secured to the thin edge of each without the creation of any substantial bulge at such point, the length of the band and cushions being such that, when worn around the abdominal region with the band at the back, the two cushions will extend along the body sides toward the front and partly over the latter with the points of maximum thickness over the body front, said cushions presenting substantially flat exterior surfaces at each side of the body of the wearer and affording complete abdominal support when the wearer is lying upon either side and means releasably interconnecting the cushions at their thick ends.

LAZETTA D. BROSE. HORACE B. BROSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 127,352 Kirk May 28, 1872 941,043 Powell Nov. 23, 1909 1,385,355 Banks July 26, 1921 1,613,712 Manix Jan. 11, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 581,603 France Sept. 30, 1924 

